Pink Luncheon

Over the years I have seen several facebook friends post about attending the annual Pink Luncheon put on by the Parker County Health Foundation, and I always thought it looked like a fun event. Then PINK became a reality for us, and I became even more intrigued by their posts each year.
A few months back, I saw a billboard advertising the 10th annual Pink Luncheon and suddenly I had a strong desire to go. I looked up the information and when I found out that it was $100 to attend, I knew that it would be hard to find someone to go with me. So I kind of wrote it off. Then one day I casually mentioned it on facebook that I think it would be really neat to go, not really thinking much of it than just thinking out loud. And within 10 minutes, I had Becky and Emily both telling me they wanted to go with me! Seriously! I have the best people in my life. So I got all 3 of our tickets ordered and we were set!
October 9th was the date, and we had all picked out the perfect pink outfit! ( I MAY have even spent some time the night before trying on outfits and texting pictures to Becky! LOL) I had come up with the idea that, since we were all going to honor Mom, that we should each wear some pink jewelry of hers. That way we had a part of her there with us.

I wish I had thought to get a picture of what each of us wore of Mom's. 
We all met up at New River Fellowship and ended up being there plenty early. Which was good because it gave us a chance to look at the auction items and purchase tickets for that as well as visit with a few people and take a few pictures!

When we finally got in, we found our seats and discovered the really neat purses that were full of goodies as well as the super cute place setting complete with a cupcake! I almost ate mine first!

The program was so neat. They talked about what the Parker County Health Foundation does and what the money raised was going to support. Part of what the money went to was providing mammograms for women who couldn't afford them. The other part went to the Careity foundation- which holds a super special place in my heart. They did many things that made Mom's journey easier. The biggest blessing to us was that they provided someone to come to the house and give Mom massages during those last weeks when she hurt so bad. This "angel" came and sat by Mom's bed and just massaged her while she stayed where she was most comfortable. Most times Mom slept through it, but she was just as sweet and caring as she could be. I still swear her angel wings were hidden under her shirt.
I was honored to be part of such a wonderful cause. The guest speakers were outstanding!!! They were sisters who told their breast cancer story. They could have you in tears one minute and doubled over laughing the next. "Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion." As Truvy said in Steel Magnolias. Then at the end, they showed videos of 3 Parker County women who had battled breast cancer in the last year. I kind of got a knot in the pit of my stomach because I had a pretty good idea that my friend Shirley Smelly was going to be one of the people, and low and behold- I was right. She was the 3rd video. I was already on the verge of being taken over by my emotions and her video pushed me over. She has been a life long family friend (Mom did her mom's hair as long as I can remember), then Shirley is the one who helped us with hospice care when we made that decision for mom. She even came out on a Sunday afternoon to talk to us. Because she is just that amazing. Then after we lost Mom, Shirley found out she too had breast cancer. Thankfully she is cancer free now! God is so GOOD!!! But I could hardly wait to hug her neck after it was over.
But the number one thing that made me emotional on this special day.... was these two ladies.

I can't even begin to tell you what it meant to me that they went with me. Becky had to take off work, and Emily had to find a sitter. Just to be with ME. Words can't even express the gratitude and love I have for these two ladies. They have lifted me over the last 8 months (well more like 2 years) when I was at my lowest and carried me when I couldn't do it on my own. I am not sure what I would do without them. Not sure what I did to deserve to be loved by such wonderful people, but I sure got lucky in the in-law department. They will never know how appreciative I am that they did this with me. It was a wonderful day full of memories that I won't soon forget. I can't wait to go back next year.